Overview

The minor in American Sign Language Studies (reference studies 307) requires a minimum
of 21 hours. Students will learn communication competency in a visual language and
gain a better understanding of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing culture. This minor builds
a solid foundation of ASL language and skills but does not lead to interpreter or
Deaf Education certification. Students are required to take the following courses:
ASL 101, 102, 201, 301, 401, and 403. In addition, students must select a 3-hour elective
from one of the following courses: ASL 303, 306, 309, or 402.

The courses are first-come-first-serve and fill up fast. If you're interested, be
sure to sign-up quickly!

NOTE: The course prefix has been changed to ASL from CD.

Required Courses:

ASL 101 (3 hrs.) - Fall Semester Only

American Sign Language I

Principles, methods and techniques for communicating with individuals who sign. Topics
include expressive and receptive sign skills, manual alphabet, numbers and sign vocabulary
off-campus experiences are required. Students are responsible for arranging their
own transportation to designated or assigned sites.

ASL 102 (3 hrs.) - Spring Semester Only

American Sign Language II

Prerequisites: ASL 101 and/or permission of instructor. Continuation and expansion of principles, methods and techniques for communicating
with individuals who sign. Off-campus experiences are required. Students are responsible
for arranging their own transportation to designated or assigned sites.

ASL 201 (3 hrs.)

American Sign Language III

Prerequisites: ASL 102 with a minimum grade of C or CLEP test or instructor permission. Development of intermediate expressive and receptive ASL skills and cultural features
of the language and community. Off-campus experiences are required. Students are responsible
for arranging their own transportation to designated and assigned sites. There is
a lab fee for activities within the ASL Lab. The class will be conducted without voice
to enhance comprehension of the language.

ASL 301 (3 hrs.)

American Sign Language IV

Prerequisites: ASL 201, with a minimum grade of C or instructor permission. The fourth in the four semester sequence with continues training in American Sign
Language (ASL) and student of the Deaf Community. Expressive, receptive, and affective
skills will be the primary focus with an emphasis on receptive skills. There is a
lab fee for activities within the ASL Lab. The class will be conducted without voice
to enhance comprehension of the language.

ASL 401 (3 hrs.)

Fingerspelling

Prerequisites: ASL 102, with a minimum grade of C or instructor permission. This course will serve to supplement a student's American Sign Language (ASL) conversational
skills. Receptive and expressive fingerspelling course content will serve to further
strengthen the student's use of this language. In addition, the course will also focus
on aspects and applications of incorporating numerals into use of ASL in a variety
of contexts. The class will be conducted without voice to enhance comprehension of
the language.

ASL 403 (3 hrs.)

Deaf Culture and History

Prerequisites: ASL 102, with a minimum grade of C or instructor permission. An overview of the psychological, sociological and cultural impacts of deafness
upon children and adults. Explores how deafness can affect the individual's development
in language, communication, cognition and psychological emotional growth. Examines
historic relations between Deaf and hearing and compares Deaf culture with that of
the hearing world. A voice interpreter will be provided for the class.

Pick 3 hours from:

ASL 303 (3 hrs.)

International Deaf Studies

Prerequisite: ASL 102 with a minimum of a C or by instructor permission. A study abroad course that will expand the student's global understanding and knowledge
of language, culture, education, law, technology, services provided and careers for
the deaf and hard of hearing in other countries.

ASL 306 (3 hrs.)

American Sign Language Classifiers

Prerequisites: ASL 301 with a minimum grade of a C or taking ASL 301 concurrently
or by instructor permission. Provides an in-depth analysis of classifiers in ASL through discussion and demonstration
of the three different categories in ASL: representative classifiers (noun and its
action), descriptive classifiers (size and shape, perimeter, patterns and textures),
and instrumental classifiers (manipulative and handle). Students will learn to comprehend
and produce classifiers from all three categories. The class will be conducted in
American Sign Language to enhance comprehension.

ASL 309 (3 hrs.)

ASL Specialized Vocabulary

Prerequisites: ASL 301 with a minimum grade of C or taking ASL 301 concurrently or
by instructor permission. Supplements a student's American Sign Language (ASL) conversational skills by introducing
terms and phrases which are found in specialized settings. The class will be conducted
in American Sign Language to enhance comprehension.

ASL 402 (3 hrs.)

ASL Professional Ethics and Issues

Prerequisites: ASL 201, with a minimum grade of C or instructor permission. Professional and ethical issues as they relate to interpreting and transliterating.
In addition, students will become familiar with applicable terminology and procedures
when interacting with the Deaf Community. Topics are based on information needed for
the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf certification tests.